Evidence
Case Idea?
Have your case adopted by the federal government already? Looking for a new winning affirmative after your 1AC went 0-2 last weekend?
Here is an interesting idea that I read about today on the New York Times – roundabouts. It’s pretty clearly topical – I’m not sure how much more reforming of roads you could [...]
Freight Mobility Case
Here is another case idea that I’ve come across – a case surrounding freight mobility. While the article is rather light on specifics I imagine if you did a little bit of research you’d be able to find some policy recommendations.
Panelists discussed the need for a national freight vision as critical to the future [...]
Case Idea? Require broadband…
Not sure if this would be topical or not but it sounds really interesting – require any new construction to install broadband telecommunications cables.
My initial thought is that this is a perfect example of reforming the infrastructure. Currently, highways are not required to have broadband – this reform will require them which will greatly boost [...]
Writing a Disadvantage
So on this year’s topic you should have a wide range of generic positions to run against almost any case. Because the affirmative could, realistically, run a new plan every single round, it’s going to be very common for you to debate against cases you have little to no evidence against.
In that instance you [...]
Climate Change case?
Looking for something new to run in the Spring? Here is a new report linking climate change and transportation. Might be a fun way to integrate the global warming debate into your rounds. It even has a great states counterplan answer right in the executive summary!
Climate must be taken into account
Because transportation [...]
You’re good through December
It looks like the USFG is kicking the can again to deal with transportation policy:
The House of Representatives voted by a 335-85 margin on legislation to extend federal surface transportation programs for three months through December 31. The legislation has been sent to the Senate … While this extension may be able to keep federal [...]
National Journal – Experts Blog
Came across this interesting blog that asks a transportation related question and then invites various experts to answer the question.
Each expert often links to really great sources to get further research.
Want to run a case about transportation security? Here are 13 articles from experts in the field with recommendations. (Make sure to click on [...]
Public Transit & Light Rail Neg
Here is an article I found that has some great neg cards against a public transit case or light rail. It is a bit dated (2003) with one particularly damaging quotation regarding public transit:
The “race” between the automobile and public transit is over. The auto has won. Nothing short of an economic debacle that drastically [...]
Great Resource
Found this article which basically has everything you could possibly need to write an affirmative. In my lecture on the first affirmative constructive I mention finding the solvency advocate to make writing your case easy… here is an example!
I think this study can also be helpful on the negative to counter any small cases [...]
Back to the financial debate
Saw this article in the NYT today on Road and Rail Spending Proposals Stall as Lawmakers Punt on Revenue Fix
Off the Hill, however, most transportation experts agree you cannot address the nation’s infrastructure without a new revenue source.
As some contended on this post (and this one on funding) this quotation is proof that addressing the [...]
Stimulus package – not enough?
Saw this article regarding the impact of the Stimulus package on transportation infrastructure. I think an interesting negative strategy this year will be to claim that the stimulus should have already solved – this article makes the argument that we will still be facing problems next year:
And while the owners of construction firms are [...]
Full Citation or Last name & Year?
Again, a round of thank yous to Dr. Kasle for organizing the RCC debate camp last month. It was a terrific experience for me the day I was there and helpful to a lot of students and coaches from around the country.
We had a great discussion at the camp regarding the rule regarding evidence citations [...]
